HIGH-FREQUENCY CALLUS FORMATION AND REGENERATION OF FERTILE PLANTS FROM HAPLOID CELL-SUSPENSIONS DERIVED FROM ANTHER CULTURE IN WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM L)

Regenerable, embryogenic haploid cell suspensions were initiated and established from pollen calli of two cultivated wheat genotypes, Xu Zhou 211 and Mv 16. Repeated callus and cell selection during the culture procedure led to stable haploid suspensions consisting of fine clusters each containing 20-50 cells. These suspensions were able to maintain their morphogenic ability during 8 months of subculture. Two fertile, seed-producing plants were successfully grown from an 8-month-old suspension of Xu Zhou 211. The experimental system holds promise for use in haploid protoplast isolation and genetic manipulation.